Still not sure what to put in my 300 gallon

[Jonathann04769]

I have made a thread similar to this in the past but just can’t seem to decide on something, the tank is 84” by 28” by 30”. 305 gallons I have really been debating doing a aggressive community but I am not sure what I could get away with, but I was hoping to have something with some of the larger Central Americans and some South Americans, tons of hiding places for the smaller ones. What could I get away with? I was thinking just for a couple fish- true red terrors, trimac’s, red tiger motaguense, Jaguars and others like them, also I would have some smaller cichlids from the 6-12 inch mark but still aggressive enough and tough enough to survive. Please feel free to call me a moron for this idea or tell me what I can and can’t do with this setup, thanks

 

[dan518]

For a safer option I would consider a pair of vieja, Cincelichthys, or paratheraps with a group of thorichthys spp, maybe some of the more chilled cryptoheros spp.

 

[ragin_cajun]

I’ve had no luck with Trimacs in community. It’s all fine until a male gets big, then they just get crazy. Females seem OK, but males can’t do it. I’d bet Motag’s are the same way.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I agree with Dan's stock choice. I've had that combination a few times. I think it gives a nice selection of colourful cichlids and a decent chance of long term compatibility.
You could even add a large shoal of live bearers like sail fin mollies or swords like xiphophorus helleri.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I’ve had no luck with Trimacs in community. It’s all fine until a male gets big, then they just get crazy. Females seem OK, but males can’t do it. I’d bet Motag’s are the same way.

I agree - my male started going nuts at 10” - at feeding time scales were guaranteed to come off other Fish. I’d also recommend central or south and not a mix. If you want big and small fish, I’d probably go south. I’ve had decent luck with male Amphs and female Parachromis in the same tank

 

[Bertie07]

How about a group of 6 vieja of all different species for contrast and 6 should spread out agression. Then you could set smaller pairs of cichlids like Salvini and convicts

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I had trouble with the convict types in my tank. They kept starting to breed and then would set off a chain reaction of conflict - they breed with anything, even my Freddie - my tank is much more peaceful without them

 

[Gourami Swami]

You could attempt something like you are saying, just know that there is going to be a lot of conflict. I would only do it if you have another tank like a divided 125 to put the rejects or troublemakers. I would stick with species that max around 12" and get only males. Maybe 6 of them and a few male convict types.

That's if you are dead set on trying that. I've had similar types of tanks with a bunch of aggressive fish, and you can make it work if you shuffle things around and stay on your toes, but it's a lot trouble. I think Dan's idea would be less of a p.i.t.a and be really fun to watch.

 

[Jonathann04769]

For a safer option I would consider a pair of vieja, Cincelichthys, or paratheraps with a group of thorichthys spp, maybe some of the more chilled cryptoheros spp.

I don’t really know all of the scientific names of lots of cichlids do you think you could also use the common names please, srry

 

[Jonathann04769]

I’ve had no luck with Trimacs in community. It’s all fine until a male gets big, then they just get crazy. Females seem OK, but males can’t do it. I’d bet Motag’s are the same way.

I’ve had no luck with Trimacs in community. It’s all fine until a male gets big, then they just get crazy. Females seem OK, but males can’t do it. I’d bet Motag’s are the same way.

Ya It seems like it’s liek that with most of the bigger CA cichlids